USA > Ohio > Stark County > Canton > History of the First Reformed Church, Canton, Ohio > Part 2
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In those early pioneer days, ecclesiastical affairs were not conducted in that orderly and regular way to which we are now accustomed. Church discipline and Church laws were little known. So it came to pass that Mr. Mahnenschmidt, zealous and devoted though he was, fell into the grave irregularity of beginning his ministry before being licensed by the synod to preach or having been ordained as a minister. He performed the usual ministerial acts, and administered the sacraments without first obtaining church authority. In 1811 he finally applied to the synod to license and ordain him. Though his irregular action during the previous five years was indeed against him, his consecration and devotion were so manifest, that the committee to whom the request was referred reported that "This young man expressed regret for his error, and stated that he did it through ignorance. In other respects he
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
is worthy to be received." At the next meeting of the synod he was therefore licensed and given authority to serve congre- gations in the capacity of minister, though he was not ordained until 1817. That the synod made no mistake in taking this action was later attested by forty-two years of a singularly devoted ministry.
The same year in which Rev. Mahnenschmidt was li- censed, he came to Ohio, and became pastor of about a dozen congregations in Columbiana and adjoining counties, his min- istry reaching from 1812-1857. He died in Canfield, Ohio, on July 11, 1857.
After coming to Ohio he visited Stark County at stated intervals, preaching in Canton, and several neighboring con- gregations, such as the Warstler, the Sherman's and the Paris Church. These were all at that time union Reformed and Lutheran Churches. Rev. Mahnenschmidt's connection with the First Reformed Church of Canton dates from 1806 or 1807 and lasted until 1818 when Rev. Benjamin Faust became the resident pastor of the Canton Charge.
Before Rev. Mahnenschmidt was finally ordained to the ministry, the Synod required (as it did of all young ministers) that he submit annually an outline of the sermons preached, so that the older ministers might judge of his progress in ser- monizing and caution him against any error in doctrine. One of these pamphlets of sermon-heads has been preserved in the archives of the First Reformed Church of Lancaster, Pa. Through the courtesy of the present pastor of the Church, the Rev'd W. Stuart Cramer, it is possible to present a fac simile of a page of this pamphlet at the beginning of the chapter, and add the translation here. These outlines are of special interest to the Canton church because without a doubt some of them were used in the regular preaching trips which Rev. Mahnen- schmidt made to Canton during the period in question.
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THE EARLIEST DAYS
Springfield
On Luke 5: 32. "I am not come to call the right- eous but sinners."
1. The sinners who are called to repentance. 2. The righteous.
Good Hope Church
On Rev. 22: 14. "Blessed are they that do his commandments."
1. The commandments. 2. The keeping of the same.
Salem's Church
On Gal. 6 : 15. "For in Christ Jesus neither-"
1. That which does not avail.
2. That which does avail.
Columbiana
On the same notes.
Bordman
On Acts 3 : 19. "Repent ye therefore-"
1. True repentance.
2. The fruits thereof.
3. The infinite advantage.
In Liberty
On the same notes.
CHAPTER II CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
IN this chapter the development of Canton and the Re- formed congregation will be traced from 1810 to the com- ing in 1818 of Rev. Benjamin Faust, the first resident pastor of the Reformed congregation.
When Canton was laid out in 1806 by Bezaleel Wells, three parcels of ground were dedicated for public purposes. The plats where Mckinley Park, the Central High School, and the First Presbyterian Church are now located were marked respectively as being intended "For a cemetery", "For a School," and, "For a House of Worship."
The plot dedicated to church purposes was 200 by 200 feet in size and was located between Tuskarawas and Seventh Streets, and Wells and Plum Streets. Plum Street was later renamed in honor of the most eminent citizen whom Canton has had, William McKinley; Tuskarawas Street gradually became more dignified and so the "k" was changed to a "c." Seventh Street is now called Second Street S.W.
Canton in 1810 had about two score inhabitants, and could boast of two stores, two mills, a grist-mill and a saw-mill, four taverns, and a number of shops conducted respectively by a butcher, a tailor, a shoemaker, a carpenter and a wheelwright. A tanyard was also in operation. A school-teacher, a doctor and a lawyer had already settled in Canton, but as yet no preacher of the Gospel was on hand to minister regularly to the spiritual needs of the people.
The occasional visits of Rev.'s Staugh and Mahnenschmidt had, however, already inspired the people with the thought of building a modest, little church which would serve as the home for the Reformed and the Lutheran congregations which were in the process of formation. The people of each denomination were too few in number, and too poor in purse, to attempt the erection of separate church buildings. Furthermore, their res-
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REV. JOHN PETER MAHNENSCHMIDT Taken after death. Only picture known to be in existence
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CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
idence in eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland had made them familiar with the idea of union churches, owned by the two denominations, and used alternatively by the Reformed and Lutherans. The denominational barriers between the Re- formed and Lutheran churches during that period were almost obliterated both in this county as well as in the fatherland. The beloved German tongue made a bond of union more strong than denominational watchwords, and hence the pioneer Reformed and Lutherans quickly came to a satisfactory understanding, effected a suitable form of organization, took possession about 1810 of the lots which had been dedicated for church purposes, and at once began preparations to erect a little church. The people were all poor and could give but little money ; but tim- ber was plentiful and their arms were strong, and the folks donated their labor, so that after some months a small frame church was under roof. Even before the building was plas- tered and the interior had been finished the first services were held. This modest house of worship served the two congrega- tions as a church-home for about thirteen years.
Unfortunately all the church records of this period have been lost, and it is no longer possible from contemporary doc- uments to give the exact dates when each congregation was organized, or the union of the two took place. Neither has the date when the first church-building was begun or finished come down to us, nor the time and the details of the dedica- tion. Since the date 1810 for the beginning of the church enterprise is well authenticated in the history of Canton, and since necessarily the two congregations must have had some form of organization before the union building project could * have begun ; it appears certain that the date 1810 cannot be too early for the organization of the First Reformed Church.
The author of this history has gone carefully through thousands of pages of the first English and German news- papers published in Canton with the hope of finding definite dates for the organization of the congregation and the building of the first church. The search, however, was in vain.
In the minutes of the "Synod of the German Reformed
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
Church in the United States of America," the congregations of Columbiana and Stark County are mentioned early. In 1809 three congregations sent a request to the Synod to be supplied with a regular minister. As there was no minister available, the synod could only resolve, "That these congregations be replied to by letter and have encouragement extended to them." Three years passed by and still no minister could be sent. Then in 1812, the Synod resolved to send certain ministers into that western country in order to visit the members of our church residing there, and offered to pay their expenses. Once more nothing came of it. Again the following year there came to the Synod from Ohio, "Several requests and calls from desti- tute congregations and neighborhoods in which their sad con- dition on account of the want of the ordinary means of grace was very feelingly portrayed." One of these urgent petitions came from congregations in Stark County. The congrega- tions referred to were Canton and Warstler's for certain and probably also Sherman's. Again the Synod had to answer that nothing could be done and the congregations were informed that they should continue, "To hope that in the future the Synod would be able to send them missionaries." The Synod also appointed a special day of humiliation and prayer for the sad religious condition of the country.
No further petitions were sent to the Synod from Stark County. The members of the Canton and the surrounding congregations were now being visited, at long intervals, indeed, but yet regularly, by Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt, who had removed to Ohio in 1812.
Rev. Mahnenschmidt in a brief auto-biographical sketch which he prepared, has left a number of interesting glimpses of religious and moral conditions as he found them in the var- ious communities which he served. The people had been so long destitute of regular religious instruction, and the youth especially had grown up with so very few opportunities for hearing the Gospel that, "Wild and uncultivated as was the country itself, so were also the inhabitants, especially the youth. During the week the people labored on their farms, and the
3 1833 02279 6350
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CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
Sabbath was devoted to hunting. I often heard the report of guns on the Sabbath, to the great grief of my heart, while rid- ing from one of my preaching points to another. These things often caused the silent tear to start as I rode along in medita- tion. I contended against this evil with all my might and held before them the sinfulness of their conduct. There were also many sinful customs prevalent at that time. Many were in the habit of collecting together to hold shooting-matches on which occasion there was often much drunkeness, causing shameful profanity of God's name, and the whole seldom ended without a fight. Many too were in the habit of frequenting the dance. Against all these things I took a decided stand; and often in no smooth or measured style did I warn them against these and such like services of the devil."
Of his work in Canton, Rev. Mahnenschmidt has one interesting paragraph which must also be quoted. "I preached to a very large number of persons in the town-hall. They pressed me very earnestly to preach for them regularly, urging that there were many young persons who ought to be instructed and confirmed." It would appear from this that the little union-church was too small to hold the people who desired to hear Rev. Mahnenschmidt at that time, and also that the Re- formed congregations of Canton and vicinity felt able to sup- port their own minister. Of his subsequent work in Canton, Rev. Mahnenschmidt writes further, "At this place there was a Lutheran minister with whom I had before been acquainted who offered to instruct these young people in the Heidelberg Catechism, and prepare them for confirmation. At length I received a letter requesting me to come and complete their course of instruction and confirm them. When I arrived I found about fifty catechumens. These, however, were not all young persons ; there were among them fathers and mothers who were old enough to be my parents. I held catechetical instructions with them for one week, and then confirmed them, and administered to them the Holy Communion, while many tears of joy and of sorrow were shed. I also afterwards con- firmed thirty-odd more in the same place."
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
Rev. Mahnenschmidt could give Canton only infrequent services. His field was very large. For many years he served ten regular congregations besides preaching occasionally at a number of additional points. It is almost inconceivable how he could carry the burden of his labors for so long. Of the time of his most strenuous activity he writes feelingly, "I was at this time a young man (he was about thirty years old) ; yet I often felt exhausted, having no rest day or night."
As the years went by more ministers were available and Rev. Mahnenschmidt was able to give over some portions of his vast field to younger hands. Rev. Benjamin Faust took charge of the congregations in Canton and vicinity in 1818; and Rev. Henry Sonnendecker served another large portion of the field lying partly in Stark and in Columbiana County from 1820 on. Rev. Mahnenschmidt himself retained the congre- gations lying in the vicinity of North Jackson in Mahoning County.
The additional leisure which the smaller field made pos- sible was used partly in literary work. Rev. Mahnenschmidt was a writer of more than ordinary ability. Sermons and poems came readily from his pen. His chief literary produc- tion, however, which has come down to us was an edition and arrangement of the Heidelberg Catechism in German. This book was published in 1834, in Canton by Peter Kaufmann. It was extensively used by the Reformed congregations in this section of Ohio. Occasional copies may still be found in some of the old German families. In the course of time this modest catechism was entirely forgotten. In the year 1913, Mrs. M. M. Herbst of Canton, a daughter of Peter Kaufmann, sent a copy to the author of this history; and later also presented him with a number of additional copies, so that now Mahnen- schmidt's Catechism will be preserved in the libraries of two of our Educational Institutions. Mrs. Herbst still lives in the old Kaufmann home which is now the oldest building erected in Canton. In the attic of the old home the Catechisms had peacefully reposed for seventy-five years.
In this edition of the Catechism, Rev. Mahnenschmidt
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CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
divided all the longer questions into several parts, and inserted numerous additional questions of an explanatory nature. The determination to publish it sprang from the observation, as is stated in the preface, that "It appeared to be too difficult for many children and especially the young folks to memorize the entire Catechism." Therefore, the original questions, "Are simplified so that thereby they may become more intelligible and retainable for the understanding and memory of the youth."
The book also contains much additional matter of value, such as a brief summary of the three parts of the Catechism; seventeen pages of questions and answers entitled, "First Milk of Truth for Sucklings in Age and Understanding"; twenty pages of hymns in part original; prayers and scripture selec- tions for various occasions ; and excerpts from Dr. F. A. Lam- pe's book "Heiliger Brautschmuck."
The work is excellently done, and must have been well adapted to the needs of the age for which it was written. As an example of his method the treatment of question 60 may be taken, which in the original is long and difficult. It appears as follows :
How do we become righteous before God?
Only by true faith .- Rom. 5 : 1.
What is true faith?
A hearty trust that God is gracious to me for the sake of Christ. For whose sake is the sinner justified?
For the sake of the satisfaction and righteousness of Christ.
How is the sinner justified through the righteousness of Christ? The righteousness of Christ is granted the sinner by God, and reckoned to him as though it were his own.
From what is the sinner declared free by virtue of this justification? From the guilt and punishment of sin.
Of what is he assured ? Of the right to everlasting life.
Rev. Mahnenschmidt thus appears to us as an able writer, a zealous pastor, an effective preacher, and withal a man of unspotted character and reputation. He was able to stay in
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
the harness almost to the end of his life. In the notice of his departure the papers said of him, "The Rev. John Peter Mah- nenschmidt has gone to his blessed reward. . . . He was very successful in winning souls to Christ. He died as he lived, firm in the faith, and with an assurance of a glorious immor- tality."
During the period that Rev. Mahnenschmidt was serving the Canton Church the little village increased in population until in 1817 there were more than 500 inhabitants. In the Canton Repository of December 12, 1816 there is an excellent description of the village, its business places, and its future expectations. This description bears the title, "Topographical View of Canton, Ohio." Since it throws so much light upon the conditions amid which the Reformed people were trying to establish a congregation, and also because it is worth preserv- ing for its historical interest, it may fittingly be placed at the close of this chapter.
"Canton is situated on a beautiful eminence which rises in the midst of an extensive plain. Excellent well water may eas- ily be obtained on the highest ground; and the town, though formerly somewhat subject to fever and ague, is now by the draining off of stagnant water, rendered wholly free from that disorder.
"On the east and west side of the town flow the two branch- es of the Nimishillon, which form a junction about one and one-fourth mile south of the town; to which point it is believed the Nimishillon will be declared navigable. These branches are crossed by four bridges, two of which are 200 feet in length and of a good construction. A small stream of water (Shriver's Run) runs directly through the town which drives a fulling mill, waters three tan yards and then passes off to the Nimishillon. The shortest distance to the Tuscarawas River is eight miles, and to the Cuyahoga twenty-five. The distance between the heads of navigation on these rivers is about eight miles, and there is a considerable pond about midway of these points which sends out a stream to each river.
"The first house in Canton was erected in the summer of
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CANTON'S FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
1806. The population at this time is about 500. There is at present a temporary courthouse and jail, but the foundation is laid for a new and elegant Court-House, 44 by 44 feet. Can- ton contains a printing office and news-paper establishment, two houses for religious worship, one for the German Luth- erans and one for the Presbyterians ;* a bank with a capital of $100,000.00; nine stores which employ a capital stock of fifty-five or sixty thousand dollars; four taverns; four tan- yards. three of which are in operation and possess the advan- tage of large capitals; one nail manufactory; one of tin and copper ; two of hats ; one blacksmith shop on a large scale ; one clock and watch-maker; one gun-smith; three saddlers; three cabinet makers ; two wheelwrights and chairmakers ; one chair- maker and painter; five shoe-makers; three tailors; a pottery and a number of house-carpenters and joiners. Within four miles of the town are seven grist-mills, three saw-mills, one oil-well, one fulling mill, and two carding machines for wool and cotton.
"It is believed that a mason, a cooper, a brewer, one or two more black-smiths and shoemakers would find a sufficiency of business here. Some lots in the town-plot remain unsold which can now be purchased to advantage. The population of the county is between seven and eight thousand and constantly increasing. Many judicious persons believe that Canton holds out a flattering prospect to men of enterprise."
If the "judicious persons" referred to could come back and see the Canton of today with its amazing diversity of industries and business enterprises ; and its large and splendid church edifices and congregations, they would certainly feel proud of their prophetic judgment, and could boastfully de- clare : We told you so.
* The writer of this description is evidently confused here. He calls the German Reformed congregation, Presbyterian. This was a common error among the English at that time. We also know that the two congregations occupied the same house of worship, not two separate buildings as stated. There was no other church-building in Canton at that time.
CHAPTER III THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER
IT was a day of rejoicing in the history of the struggling Reformed congregations in Canton and vicinity when the message was received that Rev. Benjamin Faust would accept their call and become the first resident pastor.
Benjamin Faust was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, (In the baptism certificate still in possession of the Faust fam- ily, the name of the state is spelled Pinselfane) on November 19, 1797. When the lad was only nine years old, the family moved to Ohio and settled in Canfield, Trumbull County. Edu- cational facilities were very few in those days, and the farm and the forest were insistent in their demands for work, still young Benjamin managed to secure the first elements of an English education. A story from his youth has been preserved which is worth recording. One day while working in the for- est with a companion (John Geisweid) Benjamin broke the middle finger of his left hand. The injury seemed very dan- gerous to the two lads and help was far off. Hence, after a few moments of earnest consultation the decision was reached that heroic methods must be applied, and an immediate ampu- tation was imperative. So Benjamin laid his finger on a stump and Geisweid with one neat stroke severed the finger from the hand.
Previous to this already, young Faust had expressed a desire to give himself to the work of the ministry. The phy- sical handicap which the loss of the finger laid upon him prob- ably also had its influence; for the following year (1814) he began the study of theology in earnest under the direction of Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt. The next four years were spent in teaching district school in Springfield Twp., Columbiana County, conducting singing schools and continuing his prepa- ration for the ministry. His theological studies were directed
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Mafarming fritt
John BRust
FC Naw
Theodor PBoliger
SIGNATURES OF ALL THE PASTORS OF THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
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THE FIRST RESIDENT MINISTER
by Rev. Mahnenschmidt and Rev. John Staugh, the Lutheran minister who had conducted the first religious services in Can- ton. Young Faust also made occasional addresses and Gospel talks as the opportunity offered. In 1818 he was licensed to preach by the Synod of the Reformed Church, and the follow- ing year was ordained to the work of the holy ministry. Rev. Mahnenschmidt had been anxiously awaiting the time when he could turn over a part of his vast field to another man, and hence Rev. Faust took charge of the Stark County congrega- tions, serving Canton, Osnaburg, Paris, Martin's, Sherman's, Zion's, Bethlehem, and Heinrich's. The location of the first three congregations is familiar to all. Martin's congregation was near Mapleton. Sherman's is in Bethlehem Twp., ten miles southwest of Canton. Zion's was near New Berlin. Bethlehem was in Navarre. Heinrich's is now known as the Warstler Church, north of Canton. Rev. Faust also organized and served several other congregations.
The pastorate began in 1818, probably immediately after he had been licensed. Two important events occurred in 1819, for Rev. Faust was both ordained and married during the year. The Canton Repository of April 30, 1819 has the following brief notice: "Married-On the 15th inst., by the Rev. Antho- ny Weyer, the Rev. Benjamin Faust to Miss Nancy Rank, both of the vicinity of this place." Benjamin was a few months past twenty-one, while Nancy was not yet seventeen. They made their home on the Georgetown Road, on the site where their grand children for years conducted the well-known Faust greenhouses and nursery.
The condition of the congregations served by Rev. Faust and the circumstances of the people have been indicated in the previous chapter. A few quotations from the reminiscences of Rev. Henry Sonnendecker will throw additional light upon the difficulties that had to be faced .*
* Rev. Henry Sonnendecker was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania in 1792. He was licensed and ordained by the Synod of the Reformed Church at the same time that Rev. Benjamin Faust was. Was
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FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, CANTON, O.
"The members of our church which were scattered here and there, in the mostly uncultivated wilds, living in small huts, were like sheep without a shepherd, and without meadows and flowing waters. Who would not have taken pity upon these lambs of Jesus?" Where no church buildings had yet been erected, he says, "We contented ourselves with worshiping in private houses, school-houses, and barns. Nay, sometimes even the sacrament was administered in barns; but even here the Lord blessed his people, and permitted them to feel that he is bound to no locality but is everywhere present, wherever men will call upon him." In the northwest corner of Wayne County was a small union-church served by Rev. Faust, and Rev. Anthony Weyer .* Of this he says, "The members of the two congregations had built themselves a small, log-church, which as yet, however, contained neither pulpit, altar, nor prop- er seats. It was, indeed, no very large, splendid or costly building, still the young congregation was well satisfied with it, and the Lord was pleased also to look graciously down upon us and bless his precious word to the upbuilding of his congre- gation."
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